cinemabon
10-27-2005, 02:51 PM
Those who love classic film or just film classics were lucky enough to have two of them released this week, “The Wizard of Oz,” in a three disc collector’s edition, and “Titanic” also in a special three disc collector’s edition.
The Wizard of Oz is a very special film for persons my age. Showcased on television for years as an annual event, this was one of the first films that presented that incredible moment when the drab dreary world of black and white magically transformed to color. I know of many cases in the late 1950’s and early 60’s where people were actually motivated to buy a color television, just so they could see The Wizard of Oz in color. Truly! This movie became such a part of our lexicon, many my age actually know entire passages of the film by heart (“I’ll get you my pretty! And your little dog, too!”). We know the songs. We know the lines. We know the music. Every time I hear that open music set against the lion’s roar I get chills. While the film and its presentation have grown dated in the age of CGI, there is magic when Judy Garland sings “Over the Rainbow” that will never age.
The DVD treatment is superb. The print is practically flawless (oh, what big money won’t buy), and the soundtrack is clear and lustrous. Having performed print timing I can tell you about 95% of the artifact has been removed from that print. Naturally, I turn down the color for the beginning. I still like seeing it in black and white and not sepia toned. One disc is the film with another rather studious narrative attached. The second has several versions of ‘how it all came to be.’ The third disc delves into the background of the author, Louis Frank Baum, a Renaissance man from the turn of the century. A bit overpriced at $49.95, I shelled it out and am glad I got this and not the two-disc version released at the same time.
Titanic is the brainchild of James Cameron. His filmography jumps all over the place from aliens to robots. However I believe that when he did Abyss, the wheels for Titanic probably started to roll.
Cameron, as was the case with Peter Jackson, pictured an enormous undertaking, setting out to recreate the sinking of the Titanic told on a scale never attempted prior. Having seen the wreck for himself in the depths of the Atlantic, Cameron couldn’t see anyway to represent the ship in its proper scale without recreating it nearly as large. The end result after months of work by skilled craftsperson’s created the largest most detailed set piece ever constructed for a motion picture, and its up there on the screen. Basically, all he had left to do was insert the tragedy. The story sold itself. When the film premiered the size and minutia of the great ship dazzled us all. The story is a bit sappy and could probably be referred to as the ultimate “chick flick,” but I think in labeling it so I would be doing the rest of the film an injustice. There is a great story to tell here. In a series of vignettes, Cameron displays a touching portrait of the various classes crossing the Atlantic with great hope in their hearts, only to have it end so horribly.
The DVD treatment contains everything you’d want in a great treatment; behind the scenes stuff, outtakes, recollections from survivors, and a hilarious gag reel; one of the best I’ve ever seen, full of mirth as well as a tribute to the huge supporting staff. The print is so clear, the sound resplendent in 5.1 surround, and the story mesmerizing. Priced right under $20 in discount stores can’t be beat. I enjoyed just watching the film again to look more closely at the detail Cameron so lovingly added and insisted on for the sake of authenticity.
While many on this site would argue correctly there are other more important films out there made by this Japanese director or that French one (I admire everyone’s input on this site), I still feel these films have a place along side those stories in the history of the medium. Thanks for the read.
The Wizard of Oz is a very special film for persons my age. Showcased on television for years as an annual event, this was one of the first films that presented that incredible moment when the drab dreary world of black and white magically transformed to color. I know of many cases in the late 1950’s and early 60’s where people were actually motivated to buy a color television, just so they could see The Wizard of Oz in color. Truly! This movie became such a part of our lexicon, many my age actually know entire passages of the film by heart (“I’ll get you my pretty! And your little dog, too!”). We know the songs. We know the lines. We know the music. Every time I hear that open music set against the lion’s roar I get chills. While the film and its presentation have grown dated in the age of CGI, there is magic when Judy Garland sings “Over the Rainbow” that will never age.
The DVD treatment is superb. The print is practically flawless (oh, what big money won’t buy), and the soundtrack is clear and lustrous. Having performed print timing I can tell you about 95% of the artifact has been removed from that print. Naturally, I turn down the color for the beginning. I still like seeing it in black and white and not sepia toned. One disc is the film with another rather studious narrative attached. The second has several versions of ‘how it all came to be.’ The third disc delves into the background of the author, Louis Frank Baum, a Renaissance man from the turn of the century. A bit overpriced at $49.95, I shelled it out and am glad I got this and not the two-disc version released at the same time.
Titanic is the brainchild of James Cameron. His filmography jumps all over the place from aliens to robots. However I believe that when he did Abyss, the wheels for Titanic probably started to roll.
Cameron, as was the case with Peter Jackson, pictured an enormous undertaking, setting out to recreate the sinking of the Titanic told on a scale never attempted prior. Having seen the wreck for himself in the depths of the Atlantic, Cameron couldn’t see anyway to represent the ship in its proper scale without recreating it nearly as large. The end result after months of work by skilled craftsperson’s created the largest most detailed set piece ever constructed for a motion picture, and its up there on the screen. Basically, all he had left to do was insert the tragedy. The story sold itself. When the film premiered the size and minutia of the great ship dazzled us all. The story is a bit sappy and could probably be referred to as the ultimate “chick flick,” but I think in labeling it so I would be doing the rest of the film an injustice. There is a great story to tell here. In a series of vignettes, Cameron displays a touching portrait of the various classes crossing the Atlantic with great hope in their hearts, only to have it end so horribly.
The DVD treatment contains everything you’d want in a great treatment; behind the scenes stuff, outtakes, recollections from survivors, and a hilarious gag reel; one of the best I’ve ever seen, full of mirth as well as a tribute to the huge supporting staff. The print is so clear, the sound resplendent in 5.1 surround, and the story mesmerizing. Priced right under $20 in discount stores can’t be beat. I enjoyed just watching the film again to look more closely at the detail Cameron so lovingly added and insisted on for the sake of authenticity.
While many on this site would argue correctly there are other more important films out there made by this Japanese director or that French one (I admire everyone’s input on this site), I still feel these films have a place along side those stories in the history of the medium. Thanks for the read.